Numerical data transfer device

ABSTRACT

A numerical data transfer device including an input store, a variably positionable output member and a transfer member. The device also includes means for relatively displacing the transfer member and the input store in a first direction, and an actuating means cooperable with the input store during said relative displacement for shifting the transfer member in a second direction. The device further includes means for connecting the transfer member to the output member for positioning the output member in response to the shifting of the transfer member.

O Umted States Patent 1151 3,674,201 Giolitti July 4, 1972 [54]NUMERICAL DATA TRANSFER [56] References Cited DEVICE UNITED STATESPATENTS [72] Inventor: Nicolo Gio1itti,lvrea, ltaly 3,065,904 11/1962Parker ..235/61 PC 3,313,481 4/1967 Kondur, Jr. et al. ..235/61 PC [73]Assgnee' 3,373,933 3/1968 Pfleger ...235/6l PC Y 3,504,163 3/1970010111116: al. ..235/60 R [22] Filed: Feb. 18, 1970 PrimaryExaminer-Stephen J. Tomsky PP NOJ 121175 Attorney-Birch, Swindler, McKie& Beckett [30] Foreign Application Priority Data [57] ABSTRACT Anumerical data transfer device including an input store, a Feb. 20, 1969Italy ..50659 A/69 variably positionable output member and a transfermember The device also includes means for relatively displacing the l235/61 235/61 transfer member and the input store in a first direction,and an 235/61 R actuating means cooperable with the input store duringsaid [51] lnt.Cl. ..G06c 3/00, 006g 1/00 relative displacement forshifting the transfer member in a [58] Field of Sear h 235/61 R, 61 PA,61 PB, 61 PC second direction. The device further includes means forcon- 235/61 PE necting the transfer member to the output member forposilllT tioning the output member in response to the shifting of thetransfer member.

24 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures Pmmenwn m2 315%211201 SHEET 10F 2 INVENTOR.NICOLO GIOLITTI PATENTEDJUL "'4 I972 3. 6 74. 2 01 sum 2 or 2 Fig. 5

Fig. 6

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1 Field of the Invention The presentinvention relates to devices for transferring numerical data, andspecifically to a device which includes a plurality of relativelydisplaceable mechanical elements for transferring numerical data.

2. Description of the Prior Art Various types of devices are known whichinclude relatively displaceable mechanical elements for transferringnumerical data. Such devices commonly are used in calculating and otherbusiness machines in which numerical data must be transferred from oneor more parts of the machine to other parts thereof. The elementsemployed in the prior art devices of this type include stepped drums,racks, stops and accumulator wheels. These elements are relatively bulkyand must be precision machined to provide the necessary accuracy. Thus,the prior art numerical data transfer devices are relatively heavy andcumbersome, and are relatively expensive to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The numerical data transfer device of thepresent invention obviates the bulkiness and expense of the prior artdevices.

Generally described, the device of the invention includes an inputstore, a variably positionable output member, a transfer member, and theimprovement comprising means for relatively displacing the transfermember and the input store in a first direction by a constant amount,actuating means associated with transfer member and cooperable with theinput store during said relative displacement to cause the transfermember to shift in a second direction, and means for connecting thetransfer member to the output member for positioning the output memberin response to said shifting of the transfer member in said seconddirection.

The relative displacement between the transfer member and input store inthe first direction may be rotational displacement of the transfermember with respect to the input store, and the shifting of the transfermember in the second direction may be rectilinear shifting of thetransfer member axially thereof.

The elements of the device may be of relatively small dimensions andonly relatively small amounts of relative movement therebetween arerequired to effect the transfer of numerical data from the input storeto the output member. Moreover, due to the relatively low forces whichattend interaction of the elements, such elements can be made from arelatively low strength, low mass material, such as a plastic material.

With the foregoing in mind, it is an object of the present invention toprovide an improved device for transferring numerical data.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a device as describedin the preceding object which includes a plurality of relatively movablemechanical elements for transferring numerical data.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide a device asdescribed in the preceding object in which only relatively small amountsof relative movement between the elements are required to effect thetransfer of numerical data.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a numerical datatransfer device which includes an input store, a transfer member and anoutput member and in which numerical data is transferred incident torelative displacement of the transfer member and the input store in afirst direction and shifting of the transfer member in a seconddirection.

It is another object of the invention to provide a numerical datatransfer device which includes a plurality of relatively moveablemechanical elements for effecting the transfer of numerical data and inwhich the forces which attend interaction of the elements are relativelysmall.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a numerical datatransfer device which is relatively light-weight, compact and economicalto manufacture, and which is reliable and ac curate.

As indicated by the foregoing objects and general description, thenumerical data transfer device of the present invention is ideallysuited for use in calculating and other business machines. In addition,the devicealso may be employed advantageously in any apparatus or systemin which numerical data must be transferred from one to another partthereof, such as specialized production machineryand the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The device of the invention will bedescribed in more detail, by way of example, with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of the device of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a development of the transfer members of thedevice shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on line III-III of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the device of theinvention;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a development of the transfer member of thedevice shown in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on VI-VI of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of thedevice of the invention is shown in FIGS. 1-3, and comprises a numericaldata transfer device disposed between the numerical keyboard and asetting store of a calculating machine.

The numerical keyboard comprises ten keys 23, 24 corresponding to thedigits zero through nine and each of which includes an integral shank 34(the key 23 for the digit four is shown in FIG. 3). Each shank 34terminates in a shaped projection 41 which is pivotally mounted in arecess 42 formed in the frame of the calculating machine to thuspivotally mount the associated key 23, 24in the frame of the machine.

The input store of the transfer device comprises a plurality ofindividually movable, settable input members corresponding to the numberof individual digits transferrable by the device, and specifically, tensliders 44 (FIG. 3) associated with the keys 23 and 24. Sliders 44 areslidably mounted in two combs 46 and 47 affixed to the frame of themachine. Each slider 44 is pulled to the left as seen in the drawings bya spring 49, and bears by means of an integral projection 48 against asetting projection 50 which forms an integral part of the shank 34 ofthe corresponding key 23.

Each slider 44 also includes an integral projection 56 (FIG. 3) forcooperating with a transfer member constituted by a hollow drum 57. Drum57 and sliders 44 are relatively displaceable in a first direction by aconstant amount, and specifically, drum 57 is adapted to be rotated withrespect to projections 56 of the sliders by a constant amount. Drum 57preferably is made from a plastic material and has two diametricallyopposite slots 58 on the inside thereof. Slots 58 slidably engage twokeys 59 of a sleeve 60 which is rotatably mounted on a shaft 61. Drum 57is thus mounted for rotational movement and rectilinear axial movement.

The transfer device also includes actuating means associated with thetransfer member, i.e. drum 57, and cooperable with the input store, i.e.sliders 44, for causing the transfer member to shift in a seconddirection during the relative displacement between the transfer memberand input store in the first direction. Such means comprise four cammingsurfaces defined by inclined raised portions 62, 63, 64 and 65 on theouter surface of drum 57, each of which has an inclined edge 66 (FIG. 2)adapted to selectively and individually engage projections 56 of sliders44. Thus, as drum 57 is rotated by sleeve 60, the drum is simultaneouslyshifted axially thereof by an amount determined by which slider 44 hasbeen set, i.e. by

being shifted to the right as seen in the drawings, due to theinteraction between one of the edges 66 and the projection 56 of the setslider 44. Each inclined edge 66 terminates in a rectilinear section 67parallel to sliders 44 and forming onehalf of a groove through whichonly one projection 56 can pass at a time. The groove corresponding toraised portion 63 is formed between the respective section 67 and aparallel edge 68 of another raised portion 69. The grooves correspondingto raised portions 62 and 65 are formed between the respective sections67 and parallel edges 71 of raised portions 63 and 64, respectively. Thegroove corresponding to raised portion 64 is formed between therespective section 67 and a parallel edge 72 of another raised portion73.

The various inclined edges 66 are equally inclined and are duplicatedfor the purpose of distributing sliders 44 therealong in such manner asto space the individual sliders apart a distance which is twice theminimum axial movement step of drum 57. More particularly, drum 57normally occupies a datum position which is the axial positioncorresponding to the digit zero and in which the slider 44 of the digitzero is aligned with the groove of raised portion 64 (FIG. 2). Thesliders 44 of the digits two and four are cooperable with the inclinededge 66 of raised portion 64, and the sliders 44 of the digits one andthree are cooperable with the inclined edge 66 of raised portion 65. Thesliders 44 of the digits five, seven and nine are cooperable with theedge 66 of raised portion 63, and the sliders 44 of the digits six andeight are cooperable with the edge 66 of raised portion 62.

The digit represented by each slider 44 is indicated in FIG. 2 forclarity. Upon examination of FIG. 2, it will be apparent that drum 57can assume four axial positions below the datum position for the digitsone to four, and five axial positions above the datum position for thedigits five to nine. Significantly, the axial positions of drum 57 donot directly correspond to the values of the digits to be represented,but rather the digits most frequently used, i.e. zero and five, requirethe minimum amount of drum movement.

Raised portion 69 also defines an inclined edge 74 which is symmetricalwith the edge 66 of raised portion 63. A zeroizing member defined by atongue 76 is normally engaged by the groove between raised portions 63and 69, i.e. when drum 57 is in the datum position, and is engageable byedge 74 or by the edge 66 of raised portion 63 for moving the drum backto the datum position after one of the edges 66 has disengaged theprojection 56 of a set slider 44, i.e. after the drum has been shiftedin the second direction. The tongue is integral with a plate 77 (FIGS. 1and 3) affixed to the frame of the machine.

Drum 57 also is provided with two circumferentially disposed raisedportions 78 which are parallel to sliders 44 and have a diameter greaterthan that of raised portions 62, 63, 64 and 65. Raised portions 78 forma groove 79 therebetween (FIGS. 1 and 3) adapted to cooperate with amovable output member provided for each order of the calculatingmachine. The output members are part of a setting store indicatedgenerally by the reference numeral 80. In the embodiment shown in FIGS.1-3, store 80 includes eight output members comprised by eight sliders81 (FIGS. 1 and 3) slidably mounted for rectilinear movement in a seriesof slots 82 in a second drum 83 disposed parallel to and adjacent drum57 Drum 83 also preferably is made of a plastic material and is fixed toa shaft 84, the lower end of which is axially slidable and rotatable inthe frame of the machine. The upper end of shaft 84 (FIG. 1) is providedwith a blind hole 88 in which one end 89 of a shaft 91 may be engaged.Shaft 91 also is rotatably mounted in the frame of the machine.

Each slider 81 is provided with a plurality of teeth 92 preferablyhaving a pitch of less than 1 mm. This pitch constitutes the step of thetransfer device, i.e. the minimum axial step of drum 57, fortransferring numerical data from the keyboard to the setting store.Teeth 92 are normally engaged with a circular lip 93 (FIG, 3) defined byplate 77, and are adapted to be engaged by raised portions 78 on drum57. Circular lip 93 is provided with an interruption 94 adjacent drum 57which is adapted to permit one slider 81 at a time to moverectilinearly, i.e. shift axially of drum 83 upon engagement of theslider by portions 78.

Drum 57, in addition to raised portions 62, 63, 64, 65, 69, 73 and 78(FIG. 2) hereinbefore described, also is provided with a second seriesof raised portions 62', 63', 64, 65',69', 73', and 78' similar to thefirst-mentioned raised portions. Raised portions 62, 63, 64, 65, 69 and73 occupy an angular development of 90, with inclined edges 66 and 74occupying 80 and rectilinear edges 67, 68, 71 and 72 occupying 10; whileraised portions 78 are circumferentially adjacent the first-mentionedraised portions and occupy an angular development of another 80.Projections 56 (FIG. 3) of sliders 44 are spaced from tongue 76 by about90.

The device also includes means for rotating sleeve 60 to thereby rotatedrum 57 with respect to sliders 44. Such means include a pinion 107(FIG. 1) fixed to sleeve 60 and a gear 108 which meshes with the pinion.Gear 108 includes a hub 109 having a series of radial slots 110 therein,two of which are normally engaged by two pins 111 fixed to shaft 84. Thetransmission ratio between gear 108 and pinion 107 is such that byrotating shaft 84 through 45, i.e. one angular step, sleeve 60 isrotated through 180.

As will be apparent, since the transfer cycle of each digit requiresthat drum 57 be rotated through 180, i.e. one-half revolution, thenumber of series of raised portions on the drum is two (one seriescomprising portions 62, 63, 64, 65, 69, 73 and 78 and the other seriescomprising portions 62', 63', 64', 65, 69, 73 and 78'). The drum couldbe rotated a greater or lesser fraction of a revolution for eachtransfer cycle, in which instance a greater or lesser number of seriesof raised portions would be required. Thus, the number of series ofraised portions required is the positive integer which equals thedenominator of such revolutional fraction, the numerator thereof beingunity.

Normally, sliders 81 of setting store are at a datum positionrepresenting the digit zero, as shown in FIG. 1. Upon the depression ofa key 23 or 24, the respective shank 34 (FIG. 3) is pivotedcounterclockwise about the associated projection 41. Projection 50 ofthe pivoted shank 34 then acts on the corresponding slider 44 to shiftsuch slider to the right as seen in the drawings, i.e. setting theslider. The projection 56 of the set slider 44 is then brought into thepath of one of the inclined edges 66 (FIG. 2) of drum 57. Shaft 84 isthen rotated clockwise through one angular step by a conventional drivemeans (not shown) which causes the pinion 107 to rotate counterclockwisethrough together with sleeve 60 and drum 57.

At the beginning of the rotation of drum 57, the section 67 of raisedportion 63 and section 68 (FIG. 2), which move in the direction of thearrow 114 relative to tongue 76, release the tongue so that drum 57 isfree to shift axially on sleeve 60. Thereafter, the inclined edge 66adjacent the slider 44 which has been set engages the projection 56 ofsuch slider, as a result of which drum 57 is shifted axially from thedatum position to the axial position corresponding to the digit of thekey 23 depressed. This position is reached when the rectilinear section67 of the engaging inclined edge 66, engages the projection 56 of theset slider 44. Since the rectilinear section 67 forms part of a groovewhich permits the passage of the engaged projection 56 therethroughwithout any appreciable lateral play, drum 57 is positioned exactlywithout reboundmg,

Simultaneously, drum 83 (FIG. 3) is rotated clockwise with a reductionratio of l/4 with respect to drum 57. The slider 81 which is to be set(in FIG. 3 the one immediately below the plane defined by the axes ofshafts 61 and 84) is brought into correspondence with interruption 94 atthe instant when drum 57 is positioned exactly as describedhereinbefore, i.e. when the engaged projection 56 passes through thegroove partially defined by the section 67 of the engaging inclined edge66. As rotation of drum 57 continues, the rectilinear section 67 (FIG.2) disengages the projection 56 of the slider 44 which has been set.Raised portions 78 then engage teeth 92 of the slider 81 to be set,connecting such slider to drum 57.

Simultaneously, raised portions 63 and 69' are brought intocorrespondence with tongue 76, which is engaged by one of the respectiveinclined edges 66' and 74, as a result of which drum 57 is brought backexactly to the datum position. During this return movement of drum 57,raised portions 78 shift the slider 81 to be set (FIG. 1) axially ofdrum 83 so that such slider is set by a stroke equal and opposite to theprevious axial movement of drum 57, the slider thus being brought into aposition corresponding to the digit of the key 23, 24 depressed.Immediately afterwards, tongue 76 is engaged by parallel sections 67 and68' (FIG. 2), while raised portions 78' disengage the set slider 81(FIG. 1). Finally, in the last part of the 180 rotation of drum 57,teeth 92 of the set slider 81 engage circular lip 93, as a result ofwhich the set slider 81 remains locked in the position reached. The key23 or 24 corresponding to the digit of the following order can now bedepressed and the cycle is repeated in similar manner.

It is to be noted that the setting of the digit zero does not entail anyaxial shifting of drum 57 or of the slider 81 to be set, whereas thesetting of the digit five entails the shifting of drum 57 by one step,as a result of which the slider 81 to be set is shifted downwardly, asseen in the drawings, by one step. The setting of the digits lower thanfive entails a shifting of the slider 81 to be set upwardly from thezero position by a corresponding number of steps; whereas the setting ofthe digits higher than five entails a shifting of the slider to be setdownwardly by a number of steps equal to the difference between thedigit to be set and five, starting from the five position.

Each slider 81 also is provided with a tooth 220 (FIG. 1) which isadapted to be read by one of ten sliders 216 corresponding to the digitszero through nine. Sliders 216 transfer the numerical data representedby the positions of teeth 220, and therefore of sliders 81, to theaccumulator of the calculating machine.

Each slider 81 is moreover provided with a zeroizing projection definedby a tooth 221 adapted to cooperate with another drum 222 which is fixedon shaft 61 and also preferably is made from a plastic material. Drum222 is provided with two raised portions 223 and 224 defining inclinededges 226 and 227, respectively, (FIG. 2) which converge toward eachother and define a groove 228 therebetween. After all of the digits of aparticular number have been transferred to setting store 80 andtransferred from the setting store to the accumulator of the machine,shaft 61, through a gear train and power source (not shown), rotatesshaft 91 through 45 upon each revolution of shaft 61 (sleeve 60 and drum57 remaining stationary). The upper end of drum 83 (FIG. 1) is providedwith eight radial recesses 229 similar to recesses 110 and in whichthere can be engaged two pins 230 fixed to shaft 91. Pins 230 arenormally disengaged from recesses 229, as a result of which shaft 91normally has no effect on drum 83.

To reset sliders 81, drum 83 is shiftable axially to disengage pins 111and to engage pins 230 to thereby connect the drum to shaft 91.Thereafter, by rotating shaft 91, drum 83 also is rotated. Drum 222 thussequentially engages the tooth 221 of each of the previously set sliders81 by means of one of inclined edges 226 and 227 (FIG. 2) of raisedportions 223 and 224, and moves each slider back to the datum position.The settings of the orders of store 80 are thus zeroized.

A second embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 4-6, andcomprises a numerical data transfer device disposed between a store (notshown) and a printing mechanism. This transfer device comprises an inputstore formed by ten sliders 155, each of which is provided with aprojection 276 (FIG. 6) adapted to cooperate with a transfer memberconstituted by a drum 277, which preferably is made of a plasticmaterial. Drum 277 is axially slidably mounted on a shaft 143, but isangularly fixed to the shaft, and is provided with two raised portions278 and 279 (FIG. 4) defining inclined edges 281 and 282, respectively,such edges converging toward each other and defining a groove 283 (FIG.5). Inclined edges 281 and 282 occupy an angular development of 150 ondrum 277. A fixed blade 284 is engaged by groove 283 when the device isat rest.

Drum 277 (FIG. 4) extends upwardly as seen in the drawings and includesan elongated cylindrical portion 286. Portion 286 is provided with atooth 287 adapted to cooperate with a series of notches 288 provided ina fixed plate 289. Portion 286 also is provided with a series of annulargrooves 291 which engage a pinion 292 (FIG. 4). The pinion is fixed on ashaft 293 rotatable in the frame of the machine. Also fixed on shaft 293is a drum 294 carrying a column of ten embossed types or characters 296for the digits zero through nine. A hammer 297 cooperates in knownmanner with drum 294 to selectively print the digits on a paper 32. Theportion of drum 294 normally presented in front of hammer 297 is the gapbetween the types 296 of the digits four and five.

When one of the sliders is set by the total device of the calculatingmachine, i.e. shifted to the left, as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 6,and the shaft 143 is rotated clockwise (FIG. 6), groove 283 firstdisengages projection 284 and the projection 276 of the set slider isthen engaged by one of inclined edges 281 and 282. The set slider 155 islocked in the shifted position by a pivotally mounted bail controlled bya cam 163 (FIG. 6). As a result of the engagement of edge 281 or 282with projection 276 of the set slider 155, drum 277 is shiftedselectively upwardly for the digits zero to four or downwardly for thedigits five to nine.

correspondingly, by means of the grooves 291 and the pinion 292, drum277 (FIG. 4) causes shaft 293 to rotate in one direction or the othertogether with drum 294. When projection 276 of the set slider 155 isengaged in the groove 283 (FIG. 4), drum 294 will have been rotated to aposition in which the character of the digit represented by the setslider 155 is presented in front of hammer 297. Simultaneously, tooth287 (FIG. 4) is engaged by one of notches 288 in plate 289, thus holdingdrum 286 in the selected position and aligning the selected type 296with the hammer. Thereafter, hammer 297 performs a striking action toprint the selected character on paper 32.

As drum 277 continues to rotate, inclined edges 281 and 282 engageprojection 284 and the drum is axially shifted back to the datumposition. Also, cam 163 pivots bail 160 to unlock the set slider 155 sothat such slider can be returned to the inoperative position. Thetransfer device is then ready to transfer another digit to the printingmechanism.

While the foregoing constitutes a detailed description of two specificembodiments of the numerical data transfer device of the invention, itis recognized that various modifications thereof adapted for use invarious apparatus and systems will occur to those skilled in the art.Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be limited solely by thescope of the appended claims.

Iclaim: 1. In a device for transferring numerical data including aninput store, a variably positionable output member and a transfermember, the improvement comprising:

means for relatively displacing said transfer member and said inputstore in a first direction by a constant amount;

actuating means associated with the transfer member and cooperable withthe input store during said relative displacement to cause the transfermember to shift in a second direction; and

means for connecting the transfer member to said output member forpositioning the output member in response to said shifting of thetransfer member in said second direction.

2. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein said relative displacement insaid first direction constitutes rotational displacement of saidtransfer member with respect to said input store, and said shifting insaid second direction constitutes rectilinear shifting of said transfermember axially of the rotational axis thereof.

3. A device as recited in claim 1; wherein said actuating means includesat least one inclined edge on the transfer member engageable with theinput store; and wherein said connecting means includes an elementaffixed to the transfer member for engaging the output member.

4. A device as recited in claim 3; wherein said input store comprises aplurality of selectively movable, individually settable memberscorresponding to the number of individual digits transferrable by saiddevice, each of said settable members, when set, being engageable bysaid inclined edge; and wherein said device further comprises azeroizing member engageable by said inclined edge for moving thetransfer member back to a datum position after the inclined edge hasdisengaged any set one of said settable members.

5. A device as recited in claim 4; wherein said actuating means includesat least two of said inclined edges, said edges converging toward eachother to form a groove therebetween, said groove being wide enough toengage only one of the group consisting of one of said settable membersand said zeroizing member at one time, said groove normally engagingsaid zeroizing member; and wherein the transfer member is positioned atsaid datum position when said groove engages said zeroizing member.

6. A device as recited in claim 3, wherein said transfer membercomprises a cyclically rotatable, axially shiftable drum, and saidinclined edge is defined by an inclined raised portion on the outersurface of said drum.

7. A device as recited in claim 6, wherein said engaging elementcomprises at least one pair of circumferentially disposed, parallelraised portions on the outer surface of said drum, saidcircumferentially disposed portions extending through an are less thanthe entire circumference of said drum.

8. A device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a plurality ofsaid output members, said output members being sequentially connectableto the transfer member by said connecting means so that a multiple ordernumber may be transferred by said device.

9. A device as recited in claim 8, wherein each of said output memberscomprises a rectilinearly shiftable slider engageable by said connectingmeans.

10. A device as recited in claim 9; wherein said sliders are mounted ona cyclically intermittently rotatable drum positioned adjacent thetransfer member; and wherein said device further comprises a lockingmember defining a circular lip engageable with said sliders for lockingthe sliders in position on said drum, said lip having an interruptiontherein adjacent the transfer member for sequentially releasing thesliders for engagement by the connecting means.

II. A device as recited in claim 4; wherein said actuating meansincludes a plurality of said inclined edges, all of said edges beingequally inclined; and wherein said settable members are positionedadjacent and distributed along said edges and are individually spacedapart a distance greater than the minimum shifting step of the transfermember in said second direction.

12. A device as recited in claim 7; further comprising a zeroizingmember engageable by said inclined edge for moving the transfer memberback to a datum position after the inclined edge has disengaged theinput store; and wherein said inclined raised portion and saidcircumferentially disposed raised portions extend through equal,circumferentially adjacent arcs, and said circumferentially disposedraised portions are engageable with said output member for positioningthe output member while said inclined edge is engaged with saidzeroizing member.

13. A device as recited in claim 12; wherein said drum is adapted to berotated a constant predetermined fraction of a revolution during thetransfer cycle of each digit transferred by said device, the numeratorof said fraction being unity and the denominator of said fraction beinga positive integer; and wherein a plurality of said circumferentiallyadjacent inclined portions and circumferentially disposed portion pairsare disposed in circumferential adjacency on the outer surface of thedrum corresponding to the denormnator of said fraction;

and wherein said zeroizing member is engageable by an inclined edgerotatively following the inclined edge last engaged with the inputstore.

14. A device for transferring numerical data comprising:

a frame;

at least one movable input member mounted on said frame;

at least one movable output member mounted on said frame;

a movable transfer member mounted on said frame for rectilinear androtational movement, said transfer member including carnming means andengaging means, said input member being selectively movable into therotational path of said carnming means and said output member beingengageable by said engaging means; and

means associated with the transfer member for shifting the transfermember rectilinearly relative to a datum position by an amount dependentupon the interaction between the camming means and the input member, andfor moving the output member relative to an initial position uponengagement of the engaging means with the output member by an amountdependent upon said first-mentioned interaction and the interactionbetween the engaging means and the output member.

15. A device as recited in claim 14, wherein said input and outputmembers are mounted for rectilinear movement.

16. A device as recited in claim 14, wherein said input member ismounted for rectilinear movement, and said output member is mounted forrotational movement.

17. A device as recited in claim 14, wherein said input member comprisesa slider disposed adjacent said carnming means and mounted forrectilinear movement.

18. A device as recited in claim 14, wherein said transfer membercomprises a drum.

19. A device as recited in claim 18, wherein said carnming meanscomprises at least one inclined edge on said drum.

20. A device as recited in claim 19, wherein said inclined edge isdefined by an inclined raised portion on the outer surface of said drum.

21. A device as recited in claim 18; wherein said engaging meanscomprises at least one pair of circumferentially disposed raisedportions on the outer surface of said drum; and wherein said outputmember comprises a slider disposed adjacent said raised portions andmounted for rectilinear movement.

22. A device as recited in claim 18; wherein said engaging meanscomprises a plurality of circumferentially extending grooves in theouter surface of said drum; and wherein said output member comprises apinion disposed adjacent said grooves and mounted for rotationalmovement.

23. A device as recited in claim 14, further comprising means forreturning the transfer member to said datum position after saidfirst-mentioned interaction; and wherein the engaging means isengageable with the output member only during said return movement.

24. A device as recited in claim 14; further comprising means forreturning the transfer member to said datum position after saidfirst-mentioned interaction; and wherein the engaging means is engagedwith the output member during said first-mentioned interaction.

I i i

1. In a device for transferring numerical data including an input store,a variably positionable output member and a transfer member, theimprovement comprising: means for relatively displacing said transfermember and said input store in a first direction by a constant amount;actuating means associated with the transfer member and cooperable withthe input store during said relative displacement to cause the transfermember to shift in a second direction; and means for connecting thetransfer member to said output member for positioning the output memberin response to said shifting of the transfer member in said seconddirection.
 2. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein said relativedisplacement in said first direction constitutes rotational displacementof said transfer member with respect to said input store, and saidshifting in said second direction constitutes rectilinear shifting ofsaid transfer member axially of the rotational axis thereof.
 3. A deviceas recited in claim 1; wherein said actuating means includes at leastone inclined edge on the transfer member engageable with the inputstore; and wherein said connecting means includes an element affixed tothe transfer member for engaging the output member.
 4. A device asrecited in claim 3; wherein said input store comprises a plurality ofselectively movable, individually settable members corresponding to thenumber of individual digits transferrable by said device, each of saidsettable members, when set, being engageable by said inclined edge; andwherein said device further comprises a zeroizing member engageable bysaid inclined edge for moving the transfer member back to a datumposition after the inclined edge has disengaged any set one of saidsettable members.
 5. A device as recited in claim 4; wherein saidactuating means includes at least two of said inclined edges, said edgesconverging toward each other to form a groove therebetween, said groovebeing wide enough to engage only one of the group consisting of one ofsaid settable members and said zeroizing member at one time, said groovenormally engaging said zeroizing member; and wherein the transfer memberis positioned at said datum position when said groove engages saidzeroizing member.
 6. A device as recited in claim 3, wherein saidtransfer member comprises a cyclically rotatable, axially shiftabledrum, and said inclined edge is defined by an inclined raised portion onthe outer surface of said drum.
 7. A device as recited in claim 6,wherein said engaging element comprises at least one pair ofcircumferentially disposed, parallel raised portions on the outersurface of said drum, said circumferentially disposed portions extendingthrough an arc less than the entire circumference of said drum.
 8. Adevice as recited in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of saidoutput members, said output memberS being sequentially connectable tothe transfer member by said connecting means so that a multiple ordernumber may be transferred by said device.
 9. A device as recited inclaim 8, wherein each of said output members comprises a rectilinearlyshiftable slider engageable by said connecting means.
 10. A device asrecited in claim 9; wherein said sliders are mounted on a cyclicallyintermittently rotatable drum positioned adjacent the transfer member;and wherein said device further comprises a locking member defining acircular lip engageable with said sliders for locking the sliders inposition on said drum, said lip having an interruption therein adjacentthe transfer member for sequentially releasing the sliders forengagement by the connecting means.
 11. A device as recited in claim 4;wherein said actuating means includes a plurality of said inclinededges, all of said edges being equally inclined; and wherein saidsettable members are positioned adjacent and distributed along saidedges and are individually spaced apart a distance greater than theminimum shifting step of the transfer member in said second direction.12. A device as recited in claim 7; further comprising a zeroizingmember engageable by said inclined edge for moving the transfer memberback to a datum position after the inclined edge has disengaged theinput store; and wherein said inclined raised portion and saidcircumferentially disposed raised portions extend through equal,circumferentially adjacent arcs, and said circumferentially disposedraised portions are engageable with said output member for positioningthe output member while said inclined edge is engaged with saidzeroizing member.
 13. A device as recited in claim 12; wherein said drumis adapted to be rotated a constant predetermined fraction of arevolution during the transfer cycle of each digit transferred by saiddevice, the numerator of said fraction being unity and the denominatorof said fraction being a positive integer; and wherein a plurality ofsaid circumferentially adjacent inclined portions and circumferentiallydisposed portion pairs are disposed in circumferential adjacency on theouter surface of the drum corresponding to the denominator of saidfraction; and wherein said zeroizing member is engageable by an inclinededge rotatively following the inclined edge last engaged with the inputstore.
 14. A device for transferring numerical data comprising: a frame;at least one movable input member mounted on said frame; at least onemovable output member mounted on said frame; a movable transfer membermounted on said frame for rectilinear and rotational movement, saidtransfer member including camming means and engaging means, said inputmember being selectively movable into the rotational path of saidcamming means and said output member being engageable by said engagingmeans; and means associated with the transfer member for shifting thetransfer member rectilinearly relative to a datum position by an amountdependent upon the interaction between the camming means and the inputmember, and for moving the output member relative to an initial positionupon engagement of the engaging means with the output member by anamount dependent upon said first-mentioned interaction and theinteraction between the engaging means and the output member.
 15. Adevice as recited in claim 14, wherein said input and output members aremounted for rectilinear movement.
 16. A device as recited in claim 14,wherein said input member is mounted for rectilinear movement, and saidoutput member is mounted for rotational movement.
 17. A device asrecited in claim 14, wherein said input member comprises a sliderdisposed adjacent said camming means and mounted for rectilinearmovement.
 18. A device as recited in claim 14, wherein said transfermember comprises a drum.
 19. A device as recited in claim 18, whereinsaid camming means comprises at least one inclined edge on said drum.20. A device as recited in claim 19, wherein said inclined edge isdefined by an inclined raised portion on the outer surface of said drum.21. A device as recited in claim 18; wherein said engaging meanscomprises at least one pair of circumferentially disposed raisedportions on the outer surface of said drum; and wherein said outputmember comprises a slider disposed adjacent said raised portions andmounted for rectilinear movement.
 22. A device as recited in claim 18;wherein said engaging means comprises a plurality of circumferentiallyextending grooves in the outer surface of said drum; and wherein saidoutput member comprises a pinion disposed adjacent said grooves andmounted for rotational movement.
 23. A device as recited in claim 14,further comprising means for returning the transfer member to said datumposition after said first-mentioned interaction; and wherein theengaging means is engageable with the output member only during saidreturn movement.
 24. A device as recited in claim 14; further comprisingmeans for returning the transfer member to said datum position aftersaid first-mentioned interaction; and wherein the engaging means isengaged with the output member during said first-mentioned interaction.